WILNO – Local fallen and injured workers were honoured with a moment of silence at the National Day of Mourning event held in Wilno on April 28.
Event organizer Diane Kutchkoskie welcomed those gathered on Shrine Hill that evening. She invited Julie Jeffrey to lay a wreath on behalf of the United Steelworkers Union at the National Day of Mourning memorial.
Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards Councillor Ted Browne also laid a wreath on behalf of all of the killed workers in the region.
This year marks the 11th annual ceremony in Wilno, which remembers and honours lives forever changed by a workplace tragedy.
“There is one day in the year when private memories and public memorials come together – on the National Day of Mourning,” Kutchkoskie said.
Every April 28, National Day of Mourning is observed by communities across Canada and around the world.
“April 28 is also a chance for all of us to renew our commitment to change workplace safety and ensure all workers return home safe and healthy every day,” Kutchkoskie explained. “It is as much a day to remember the dead as it is a call to protect the living.”
Although she couldn’t recruit anyone to speak about a personal experience on workplace injuries, Kutchkoskie used the time to remember recent victims.
Get your May 6, 2015 edition of The Valley Gazette to read the full story.